Monday, November 5, 2007 - 2:00 PM
39-3

Climate Extension Education in the Southeast.

Joel O. Paz1, Clyde W. Fraisse2, David F. Zierden3, John G. Bellow3, Norman E. Breuer4, Carla Roncoli1, James L. Novak5, Keith T. Ingram2, James W. Jones2, and Gerrit Hoogenboom1. (1) The University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment St., Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept., Griffin, GA 30223-1797, (2) University of Florida, 239 Rogers Hall, P. O. Box 110570, Gainesville, FL 32611-0570, (3) Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, (4) University of Miami, PO Box 110570, Gainesville, FL 32611-0570, (5) Auburn University, 203 Comer Hall, Auburn, AL 36849

El Niņo-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has significant implications for crop production in the southeast US. Climate forecasts can be used to reduce risks faced by an agricultural enterprise, but simply providing better climate forecasts to potential users in not enough. In an effort to integrate all aspects of applying seasonal climate forecasts to agriculture, the Southeast Climate Consortium (SECC) was formed as a research and extension partnership of six universities in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The goal of SECC is to apply ENSO-based forecasts to the development of decision support tools for agriculture, forestry, and water resource management. The SECC has developed a web-based information system called AgClimate (www.agclimate.org), for timely delivery of climate and weather information to farmers and producers. Information available in AgClimate includes climate forecasts combined with risk management tools and information for selected crops, forestry, pasture, and livestock. Adaptations include those that might mitigate potential losses as well as maximize yields. The climate extension program of the SECC aims to disseminate climate-based information and develop decision support tools based on input from various stakeholders. The key to effective dissemination of climate-based information to growers is the partnership of the SECC and the Cooperative Extension Service of Land-Grant Universities. Extension agents play an important role in transferring information technology and new knowledge to farmers and stakeholders. Several training workshops have been conducted to increase awareness on the use of climate information and climate-based tools available to stakeholders. Climate extension specialists are working with county agents and commodity specialists in emphasizing the importance of climate forecasts in farm decisions and risk management. Climate and commodity outlooks were developed in close collaboration with research and extension faculty. These outlooks were disseminated in various media forms and outlets to stakeholders including county agents and growers.